Reworked La Danseuse Rouge makes return in Aurie’s Star Handicap
A lot of water has gone under the bridge since La Danseuse last stepped out on the racecourse.
That was just over two months ago when the Cliff Brown-trained mare went within 0.01 seconds of breaking the 1100m course record at Caulfield.
In preparation for a Stakes race at Caulfield earlier in July, Brown took La Danseuse Rouge to the jump-outs at Sandown, only for the mare to play up, resulting in a ban until she trialed to the satisfaction of stewards.
Brown chose to send the mare for some remedial work with Julien Welsh, resulting in the mare being passed to race again with a jump-out victory on the synthetic track at Cranbourne on July 22.
La Danseuse Rouge returns to racing at Flemington on Saturday in the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) with Carleen Hefel aboard.
Hefel will be the 11th jockey to ride La Danseuse Rogue who will be lining up for her 15th career start on Saturday.
Brown said Welsh and his staff had done a great job with La Danseuse Rogue who will race with just a crossover noseband on Saturday.
La Danseuse Rouge had previously been a barrier blanket horse, had a barrier extension, had a stallion chain used on her along with racing in blinkers.
“Julien said her problems were all noise related, so he said he desensitised her to noise,” Brown said.
“She wore a bit of gear before, but he said ‘don’t bother with it, take it all off’, so we’ll see how she goes.
“She trialled really well. She’s in good shape and Julien and his team did a great job.
Carleen Hefel rode her in the jump-out so we thought we might as well stick with her. She knows what she’s like and all the little things to get her there.
“If she behaves, she’ll be a chance.”
Le Danseuse Rouge is no stranger to racing down the straight Flemington 1200m, running second in the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes during the 2022 Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“She’s run well down the straight before and rarely does she run badly,” Brown said.
“In time, I think she’ll want 1400 metres to a mile.”
More Racing News
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...
War Machine back in winning form at Caulfield
A great deal has transpired for War Machine over the past twelve months.On the equivalent weekend last year, the horse trained by Ben, Will, and Jd Hayes, War Machine, was competing in Sydney for The Everest.While the results didn't align with the Lindsay Park trainers' aspirations, War Machine had entered...
Saintly Dancer's Thousand Guineas triumph highlights Shinn's comeback
Jockey Blake Shinn has celebrated his first Group 1 win since recovering from a significant leg injury, as Saintly Dancer dictated terms from the front to capture the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.Shinn endured a fractured leg from a fall during last year's Melbourne Cup and made his return to competitive...